Eid Al-Fitr; Symbol of Muslims’ Unity
In an interview with IQNA, Sheikh Abdullah Daryaei, a Sunni scholar from Iran, congratulated the Eid al-Fitr while also talking about the philosophy of this day:
Ramadan is the month of serving and the fact that we train our Nafs for becoming more beneficial for ourselves, our society, and nature is a great service. Fasting has no other aim.
“Believers, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you; perchance you will be cautious.” [2:183] Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says the fasting people become happy on two occasions, one is the end of the fasting month and reaching Eid al-Fitr in this world and the other is when they see their God in Akhirah.
Importance of Eid al-Fitr
The virtue of this Eid has two aspects. First of all, God Almighty has bestowed this day to us as an Eid which shows his kindness and mercy. On the other hand, this occasion leads to strengthening social ties, eliminating hatred from hearts, reminding people of brotherhood, and converting “me” to “us”. On this day, we point to Verse 10 of Surah al-Hujurat which says “The believers are but one brotherhood”. And this is the lesson that we derive from this Eid which enforces a healthy society. “It is He who made you from the earth and let you live upon it” [11:61]
Feature of Eid al-Fitr
This Eid is one of the Islamic signs and respecting them is a manifestation of Taqwa or piety: “To respect the symbols of God is the sign of a pious heart.” [22:32]
Eid al-Fitr is the day of happiness. Islam believes smiling can bring people closer to God and considers making others happy as a form of charity. It also believes that authorized happiness and amusement enforce the human spirit on the path of divine responsibilities.
One of the other features of this day is providing food or donation for those in need in the form of Zakat al-Fitr so that they can also be happy along with others.
Eid al-Fitr Prayer is another sign of this great occasion and a symbol of Muslims’ unity. Muslims of different Madhhabs from around the world stand and talk with their God humbly and manifest the greatness of Islam after a month of fasting and combating the Nafs. They also renew allegiance with God to preserve this brotherhood forever, cling to the thread of Allah, not engage in arrogance and selfishness, and not let the enemies hatch plots.
Sheikh Abdullah Daryaei has studied Islamic Fiqh and is a teacher at a religious school on Qeshm Island, south of Iran.
